By Emmanuel T. Erediano
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Variety News Staff
RELIEF and recovery are now in motion across the CNMI following the devastation caused by Super Typhoon Sinlaku.
From residents salvaging what remains of their homes to government agencies and the wider community working to restore infrastructure and utilities, the Commonwealth has begun its long recovery — once again putting its resilience to the test.
PJ Limes cautiously sorted through metal debris from what remained of his house in Koblerville on Monday. The environmental worker, who previously handled off-island assignments, neatly piled crumpled iron sheets on one side of the yard and wood on the other, a few meters from where his home once stood.
Nothing remains of his wooden house. The roof was torn off, the walls were destroyed, and his household belongings were scattered “all over the place,” he said. Limes plans to build a temporary storage structure where he can safely keep furniture, appliances, and other items rendered unusable by Super Typhoon Sinlaku.
Luckily, he said, his family is safe. During the three days when the Category 5 typhoon battered the CNMI, Limes, his brothers, and uncle took shelter in the concrete home of a relative nearby.
When asked about his next steps, Limes said, “I don’t know right now. I just have to get rid of this debris.” He continued sorting through the wreckage, hoping to soon get a clearer sense of how to rebuild.
Carpenter Jose Cortez was also busy on Monday repairing his home. He gathered iron sheets scattered along the street to replace roofing torn off by the typhoon. He said he is confident he will soon rebuild, noting that many sheets and pieces of wood left along the streets of Chalan Kanoa are still usable.
Jack Sakisat’s home was flooded, but he had not yet begun cleaning because he was helping his landlord rebuild a fence that was destroyed by the typhoon. He said his own home was still livable, allowing him to assist others who suffered greater damage.
Department of Lands and Natural Resources-Parks and Recreation Division Director Mike Cruz and his staff were out across Saipan clearing debris from roadways.
“We’re in debris removal right now,” Cruz said in an interview. Working in coordination with the Department of Public Works, he said the priority is clearing roadways so “we can all get back to normal.”
Joeten-Kiyu Public Library Executive Director Erlinda Naputi and her staff were also busy cleaning the library grounds in Susupe, separating green waste from metal and plastic debris. She said that even after cleanup, “we still have a ton of work ahead of us.”
A portion of the library’s roof was blown off, and three air-conditioning units were destroyed. Before reopening, Naputi said staff must conduct a full assessment of interior damage and ensure that mold growth caused by the three-day typhoon does not spread to the library’s collection. Furniture and other affected areas must also be fully dried.
The library had been preparing to celebrate National Library Week. This year’s theme is “Find Your Joy at Your Library.”
Naputi said the celebration will not proceed as planned. Due to the typhoon’s devastation, the library will instead mark the occasion differently so the public can still “find joy at their library.”
On Tinian, one of the major issues is communication. IT&E services remain down as of Monday, Variety was told. Residents with other telecommunications providers have been able to maintain contact with people off-island.
Nevertheless, typhoon victims on Tinian can expect assistance soon.
On Monday morning, Matthew Masga, an Office of the Mayor official overseeing relief distribution, said staff were preparing the staging area at the Tinian Gym. He said both the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the American Red Cross have already contacted the Mayor’s Office to identify a suitable location for receiving and distributing relief supplies.
Gratitude and resilience
Father James Balajadia, in an interview at Kristo Rai Church on Saturday, offered prayers for everyone in the CNMI, especially those who lost homes and belongings.
He said no words could fully express his feelings for those affected and urged the community to “pray and trust in the Lord.”
He added that there is still reason for gratitude, as he had not heard of any deaths resulting from the typhoon. From that gratitude, he said, comes resilience. He noted that difficult times provide opportunities to practice patience, kindness, forgiveness, and service to others.
“As far as the church is concerned,” Balajadia said, “we all have to help our families. We are applying for aid, and a lot of help is coming, together as soon as possible, especially for those most in need of food and water.”
“Our prayers turn to God and His word, to give us unshakable confidence,” he added. “With hope, patience, and prayer in our thoughts.”
Emmanuel “Arnold” Erediano has a bachelor of science degree in Journalism. He started his career as police beat reporter. Loves to cook. Eats death threats for breakfast.
